Jury deliberates in Cady Way Trail murder trial

Jesse Davis refuses to testify for defense

The jury is deliberating in the Cady Way Trail murder trial of Hector Rodriguez after both sides presented closing arguments Wednesday.

Rodriguez, 31, is accused of the execution-style killings of Jeremy Stewart and Nick Presha in April 2012 on the Cady Way Trail.

During the morning session, prosecutor Ken Lewis poked holes in Rodriguez' claim he was not at the scene when the teens were shot.

The defense is argued that Rodriguez was not there and that co-defendant Jesse Davis alone committed the slayings.

Davis, who is already serving two life sentences for the killings, was supposed to testify for the defense saying he was solely responsible for the teen's deaths.

However, the 31-year-old Davis said on the stand that voices in his head were compelling him not to testify.

Davis was found in contempt of court, and was sentenced to 179 days in Orange County Jail consecutive to other sentences. The court also directed the Department of Corrections to forfeit any gained time or privileges Davis earned in jail.

Lewis argued that before the teens were killed, Rodriguez was clearly there when the victims were stripped of their clothes, tied up and held against their will inside of Davis' apartment.

"If you return a verdict of guilty, it should be for the highest charge proven beyond a reasonable doubt," said Lewis.

On Tuesday, the defense asked Judge Alan Apte for an acquittal in the case. He denied it on all counts.

The Winter Park High School students were executed and their bodies set on fire along the Cady Way Trail, authorities said.

If convicted, Rodriguez faces the possibility of life in prison.

Copyright 2013 byWESH.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.